Online Shopping Galore!

This week we have done more shopping carts in one week than we've done in 10 years. You probably have noticed the new cart for Matt Lautner, which is to our knowledge the first individual person in the club calf business to offer online ordering. (We weren't counting semen distributor businesses like SEK, Cattle Visions, etc....they've had online ordering for quite a while). Matt's store can be seen at http://mattlautnercattle.mybigcommerce.com/

Today we also launced a new online store for Top Sires.... http://topsires.mybigcommerce.com/

We also created our own store: http://ranchhousedesigns.mybigcommerce.com/

Several of our clients have been utilizing online stores for quite some time. Our most popular one would have to be Southern Jewlz.... http://southernjewlz.mybigcommerce.com/

We also have a few other storesin the works that should be up by next week. So check it out! If we can help you with an online store, give us a call. It's easy and fast. Plus, if you already have access to accepting credit cards online like through PayPal or Authorize.net, we can have your cart up on 1 day!

By Appointment Only

You might notice that we have changed our hours of operation to say that our office visits are by appointment only now. Before all of our critics who like to say we don't take phone calls take it a step further and now say we don't take office visits....I thought we should say why we're operating by appointment only now.

Ever heard the song "In the Ghetto?"

Despite the fact that Wharton, Texas is like one of your sweetest down home towns you'll ever find, we have recently had some problems with vandalism and hood rats. Christa had a  big scare a few months ago when someone busted in her office door that stays locked all the time. Then we had a homeless person sleeping behind our office. If you check our facebook you know that we had another homeless person using the restroom in our flower bed. Then last night we had an attempted burglary.

Thank goodness for ADT Security. Scared the perpetrator off before he stole anything.

Anyway, we are more than happy to have people visit our office, but for a while, we're going to keep our doors locked during the day too, just to be safe. So just give us a call at 979-532-9141 anytime and we'll be happy to come unlock the door for you.

Davis Real Estate Services

If you’re in the market for real estate in Texas, visit our new client’s web site, Davis Real Estate Services in Bryan, Texas.

Owner Weldon Davis opened his office in 1990 and helps Texans locate and buy tax lien properties across the state. For more than 20 years, their competitive prices and overall value have kept their customers coming back.

Weldon was a pleasure to work with and very appreciative of the work Ranch House Designs completed on his behalf. He shared these comments with our staff:

“I want to thank everyone for their patience with me calling and asking a myriad of questions regarding this website. Your professionalism, knowledge and outstanding customer service has won me over.  I will recommend your company to other small businesses.  Thank you does not seem to be enough, but it is meant with all sincerity.”

 If you’re in the market for real estate in Texas, give Davis Real Estate Services a call.

Stall Sign orders for Jr. Nationals

Have you noticed that RHD now offers stall signs and pedigree signs for your showstring? We started offering this in 2011 and so far this year we have done over 300 signs! The signs are affordably priced and are custom designed for you. For example, we can include your signature colors or logo like this one we did for Purple Reign Cattle....

Or, these we did for Oden Ranch...

We can also do special signs for ag chapters and 4-H show teams like this one for Boling FFA....

All of the signs above are the permanent signs that can be used for the entire life of your show animal...then after they are done you can hang them in your barns, in your office, etc. They are weather resistant and last a lifetime.

But, if you prefer the write on signs, we can do those too. Here is an example of a dry erase sign we made for Ganadera El Rosario. The signs are dry erase and they can re-use them over and over again...

So for everyone who's planning on going to Junior Nationals this summer or taking a big showstring to their state fair, give us a call. The signs start out at $30 per sign but the pricing gets cheaper if you order multiple signs. We can also do end panels and vinyl banners too. We'll need the Junior National sign orders by around June 1 for most of the shows, but can take them later for the shows held at the end of the summer.

Call us at 979-532-9141 or e-mail staceyf@ranchhousedesigns.com for more info.

Tell us w hat you think!

We have recently created a survey to ask our friends and clients on their opinion of RHD's products and services. So whether you are a current customer, or just someone who knows of RHD, we invite you to spend a few minutes and share your thoughts and opinions on RHD with us.

Take the survey here...
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e3qc08k0gmpbl713/start

Club Calf Special

Each year during this time we offer our "Club Calf Special" package which is a one-stop package designed for club calf producers or traders who are gearing up for summer and fall sales. Originally started by us like 10 years ago, there are tons of breeders who have used the Club Calf Special to jump start their advertising program and put their programs on the map in an affordable and easy way.

Here's the Club Calf Special:
-3 page web site design and maintenance for 1 year. Most club calf people use their 3 pages to be a home page, sale page, and winners page.
-1 page ad design, which most people use for their ad in the August Show Circuit
-Logo design
-250 business cards
-1 e-mail blast to promote your fall sale

The package deal is a flat rate of $1,000. If you purchased all of these individually the cost would be nearly $2,000 but since we can do all of the projects in conjunction with each other, we offer this special price.

This price is only valid for a limited time, and you do have to get your materials to us in a timely manner so we can start working on everything. So if you're ready to get started, e-mail tricia@ranchhousedesigns.com and let us get your projects going!

Stock Show University

This spring we had the big honor of working on a very exciting collaboration with some of our favorite people in the livestock business on the exciting new "Stock Show University" created by Sullivan Supply. Our friends in the midwest are probably familiar with this by now, since the Sullivan's have been doing lots of promotional give-a-ways at the midwest beef expos, but in case you haven't heard about this, we wanted to write about it and how RHD got involved in this great new project.

Earlier this spring, John Sullivan called us with a totally exciting new program he and his wife Dede came up with. It was sort of along the lines of their new scholarship program they made last year, in terms of being another opportunity that Sullivan Supply wanted to do something to give back to the livestock business.

So John said that he wanted to schedule a conference call with Rachel, Arin Strasburg, and himself to go over the idea. Of course I was super excited...but also very curious. As John started explaining the concept, I was immediately on board to help! The idea was "Stock Show University." As John explained it, Stock Show University is a FREE educational clinic that is going to be sponsored by Sullivan Supply. Anyone can attend free of charge - both adults and youth. Sullivan Supply will be hosting clinics at beef expos, major shows, and junior nationals as well as local shows and at home events throughout the United States.  The clinics vary in size and scope - anywhere from 1/2 day programs during the afternoons at shows to very comprehensive, 3-day clinics. These are all FREE to attend as a way that the Sullivan's can show that they are committed to education. And the "professors" at Stock Show U are the leading experts in fitting, showmanship, daily care, etc.

So where does Ranch House Designs come into play? Well, we'll be leading the demonstration on how to properly fit and clip hind legs. SIKE! We got to be part of the collaborative design and marketing team to create the brand image, apparel line, and media pieces.

This part was ESPECIALLY fun because it was a team effort between Ranch House Designs and Designs by Arin. Rachel and Arin have been friends and colleagues for over 10 years and for this project, John said he chose us because he wanted to work with the two people he felt were the best in the business. It was a great project to work on!! We had a lot of fun working with Arin and the Sullivans. Some of the results of this team effort can be seen in the multi-page ad/catalog that Sullivan's recently put out called "Profiles of a Champion." This is a great piece that was designed by Arin with our creative writing input.

RHD also created the logo for Stock Show University and coordinated the design and production of the awesome line of caps that the Sullivan's have been giving away at the shows. Here are a few examples of the logo and caps.

If you want to know more about Stock Show University, you can visit their home page at http://sullivansupply.com/ssu_home_page.html. Here are also a few links...

• Clinic Schedule - There are already a ton of clinics scheduled coast to coast! Check it out!
• Professors - Meet the professors of Stock Show U!

So, our hats off to the Sullivans for once again creating a great new program to help the young people in the livestock business! We are so honored and proud to be a small part of the promotional efforts of Stock Show U!

A great Christmas present!

Every year it seems that we get involved in some really cool Christmas present projects, and this year was no different. We have done things in the past ranging from new web site gift certificates, photo collages, banners, signs, and all kinds of creative things.

This year, we had a new one....and it involves one of our favorite fellow blogging friends Crystal Young. Her boyfriend Jon Blin contacted us a few weeks before Christmas and wanted to enlist our help in a special Christmas present for Crystal. The present involved a couple of things. First, the easy part was that he wanted to register the domain name http://www.crystalcattle.com/ for her and have that go to her blog, which is hosted on Blogger just like ours.

The second part was that he wanted to give her a gift certificate for a new look on her blog, which is cool because he was going to give her the gift certificate then that way she could work directly with us to get the exact look she wanted.

The funny thing about this special present is, just a few weeks after Jon had emailed us, Crystals' mom ALSO emailed us with the same idea. So obviously the people close to Crystal knew that this is something she wanted! We didn't know whether to let the cat out of the bag or not, but we did disclose the secret present to Crystal's mom so she knew about the exciting gift.

A few weeks ago we completed the blog re-design with Crystal, and her new blog can be seen at http://www.crystalcattle.com/. This is a great blog that talks about lots of different things in the cattle business. Check it out and I'm sure you'll want to become a follower!

Upcoming Showbox deadlines

More upcoming deadlines RHD clients should put on their calendars! If you wish to advertise in the April and May issues of The Showbox and would like for RHD to design your ad, we will need your materials by Friday, March 11th if you want to be in the April issue, and by Friday, April 8th if you want the May issue.

Once again, due to the busy schedule here at RHD with the Houston Livestock Show in March and baby Cutrer due to arrive in April, we will be firmly sticking to these deadlines. Ad materials that come in after these deadlines are subject to rush fees and will only be taken if time allows.

If we can help you in any way, please email tricia@ranchhousedesigns.com.

Howe Insurance Agency

If you need personal or business insurance coverage, give our newest web client Howe Insurance Agency a call. A full service independent insurance agency in business since 1954, they work to give their clients the right coverage for the best rates.

As independent agents, they are able to supply all your insurance needs under one roof. They represent numerous companies so they are able to do the leg work for you, shopping for the lowest premium and the highest coverage.


Howe Insurance Agency represents many highly rated companies that offer great protection at competitive rates and cover many personal risks, such as auto, home, livestock, farms/ranches, watercraft and more.

They also offer business insurance packages specifically designed for your business. So whether you’re a contractor or a veterinarian, they can put together an insurance program that fits your needs.

In addition, they also offer Life Insurance, Health Insurance and Disability Insurance. Nothing gives you more peace of mind than knowing you are properly insured in a time of need.

Give Howe Insurance Agency a call and let them help you get on track!